Galway is one of the most beautiful cities to see in Ireland. It is a city full of colors, with a very pleasant atmosphere and many interesting places to visit. If you are thinking of adding Galway to your route through Ireland, the ideal is to sleep one night in the city to take advantage of and get to know some of the nearby places such as the Cliffs of Moher or visit the surrounding towns.
In this post I will tell you about the 10 best things to see and do in Galway and I will add some tips on where to stay in the city.
10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN GALWAY
1. Visit Galway Cathedral
It is the most beautiful building to see in Galway. This Cathedral is very new, its construction began in 1958 and was not completed until 1965. It is Renaissance in style and stands out for its magnitude. The exterior is somewhat austere, made of stone and with the roofs and the dome in green. Inside you will find large arches, stone and marble. Admission is free.
2. Get to know the Spanish Arch
Galway is a city with a medieval past. Today, nothing remains of the walls, although these arches can still be seen. They form part of an extension to Galway's walled enclosure. They were built between 1584 and 1588. Their function was to protect the ships moored at the docks. Both some of the arches and the walls were destroyed in part after the Lisbon tsunami in 1755.
3. Stroll through Galway's Latin Quarter
Galway's Latin Quarter is the best thing to do in Galway. Walk through its streets aimlessly, appreciating its colorful facades. It is a neighborhood with alleys and cobbled streets, small houses attached to each other, of all colors. It has a lot of character and I assure you that you will not stop taking pictures.
There are plenty of bars, bed and breakfasts, little shops… At night, with the lights on and the music coming out of the bars, the area comes alive.
4. Visit the medieval Church of St. Nicholas
In the center of the Latin Quarter you will find the medieval church of St. Nicholas, dating back to 1320. This medieval church is the largest in use in Ireland. It's beautiful, you can't miss it. Legend has it that when Christopher Columbus visited the city in 1477, during his visit, he entered this same church to pray.
5. Fall in love with Dunguaire Castle
This beautiful castle is located on the outskirts of Galway. It was built in the 16th century as the residence of the Hynes family. Currently, the castle belongs to a private company that manages several monuments in the country. The castle can be visited for 7.20 euros per person. There are reduced rates for families, children...
The Castle is in a privileged place, on the shores of the bay, with green meadows around it. It is the typical fairytale castle.
6. Don't miss the Charlie Byrne Bookstore
On a rainy afternoon, we took refuge in the first place we found. It turned out to be the Charlie Byrne bookstore. It is one of the most famous bookshops in Ireland and has more or less 100,000 books. Amazing!
If you like books and literature, walk through its corridors full of words. And if you like English literature, don't leave without buying a copy.
7. Visit the Galway Museum
The city museum is the best way to learn a little more about its history. It is located right next to the Spanish Arch. There are several different exhibitions throughout the year that will give you an inside look at Galway. Admission is free.
8. Take a trip to the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are just an hour and a half from Galway. If you have a rental car, you can visit them on your own. However, if you are not visiting Ireland with your own car, the best alternative is to reach them with a tour. A tour departs from Galway that includes a visit to the Cliffs of Moher and a visit to Dunguaire Castle.
9. Excursion to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey
This tour includes many of the most impressive places to see in Ireland. Castles, Kylemore Abbey, landscapes full of emerald green mountains... In our case, we did the whole tour on our own with a rental car. Here you have the best route through Ireland. If, on the other hand, you will not visit Ireland with a rental car and you are getting to know the country with external transport, you can hire this tour, it is one of the most complete to do from Galway.
Some articles in the area that may interest you:
10. Connemara Castles Tour
One of the best things to do in Ireland is to visit castles and incredible landscapes. This tour gives you the opportunity to combine both. The tour is about 9 hours and visits Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch, Aughnanure and Chifden. Also, there are several stops to appreciate the famous Sky Road, the cliffs and different villages.
WHERE TO STAY IN GALWAY, IRELAND
Galway is a small city and everything is relatively close. It really doesn't matter much if you are staying in the center, in the Latin Quarter or in the port, everything is within walking distance, without the need to take the car.
Some great accommodation options in Galway:
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Ireland very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
If you liked this article, subscribe to the blog so you don't miss the next destinations, curiosities, travel tips and inspiration for your trips.
A hug and see you soon!
Comments